Holiday Party Entertainment

Posted by Roger Rollins on Nov 29, 2017

John Horne (guitar) will perform during the social and dinner hours.

Originally from Pittsburgh PA guitarist and music teacher John Horne attended Duquesne University School of Music and now resides in Athens OH with his wife Melanie (also a music teacher and choral director) and their dogs Lena Horne and Sammy Davis, Jr.

John teaches guitar methods and jazz improvisation classes for Ohio University and private guitar lessons for Athens Community Music School (ACMS) during the week and can often be found playing guitar at area venues on the weekends.

John has also taught lessons and workshops for National Guitar Workshop and Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp and has partnered with area arts organizations to offer informances and residencies in local schools.

Sean Parsons is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. Originally from Illinois, Sean holds a Bachelor's degree in music composition from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master's degree in jazz studies from DePaul University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois.

Prior to his appointment at Ohio University, Sean has held faculty positions at Marshall University and Illinois Wesleyan University. He is in demand as a performer and clinician nationwide. Sean has been invited to direct several All-State and district big bands, combos, and vocal jazz ensembles and has shared the stage with many of the most notable musicians in jazz including Clark Terry, James Moody, Jon Faddis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steve Turre, and Randy Brecker. Additionally, he has regularly performed with and arranged for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

Jess Baldwin's voice has been described as “world class,” “effortless,” and “pure beauty.” She performed on Mountain Stage in 2013, won Best Cover Song in the 2015 and 2017 Ohio Music Awards, and was a quarterfinalist in the 2015 and 2017 American Traditions Competitions.

As an artist, her eclectic style melds indie and chamber pop with soul and jazz, living somewhere between Regina Spektor, Lake Street Dive, Becca Stevens, and Laura Mvula.

“That was as good a show as could be seen anywhere in the world and it was right here in Marietta!!! Flawless!"

— Hunt Brawley, Peoples Bank Theatre.

“Jessica brings that rare combination of a high degree of technical skill and a palpable level of emotion to her vocalizations. She well understands and knows how to deliver the soul of a song. Simply stated: Pure Beauty."

— John Walsh, composer, The Fields of Gettysburg.

“Jessica is a world-class vocalist with an effortless, beautiful sound." — David Traugh, Emmy-winning composer.